iTunes Library. Moving from PC to new Mac issues.

icedbullet · 14 Aug 2010 at 07:59

Hey all

I got a new Macbook Pro 13" this week, I'm having issues finding a clear tutorial on moving my iTunes library from my PC to my Mac. I have copied the iTunes folder to my Mac via external hard drive, but I haven't got any further yet.

I thought it would be as simple as copying my PC version of the folder over the Mac iTunes folder, but I read somewhere that I may have to alter some file paths in the Library file to more Mac friendly paths?

Being new to OSX I have no idea how to do that so any help anyone can give will be welcomed

VaderDSL · 14 Aug 2010 at 20:20

I usually drag the folders into itunes from the external drive, copying them to the mac and into the new itunes library, there might be a better way than this though.

Iceman · 14 Aug 2010 at 20:24

The way i did it was to copy them all to external hdd. Then drag all the music files/folders from the hdd to the music folder on macbook.
Then look in Itunes and import library.

icedbullet · 15 Aug 2010 at 02:18

Iceman said:
The way i did it was to copy them all to external hdd. Then drag all the music files/folders from the hdd to the music folder on macbook.
Then look in Itunes and import library.

Will this method allow me to keep my already established playlists and iPod applications?

Also by "import library" do you mean you take the iTunes library file (.xml) that was previously on your pc and import it into iTunes?

Iceman · 15 Aug 2010 at 17:40

I left that out of mine and just copied all the songs over to the Macbook. Although i think i had to download all the album covers etc again.
Im not to sure on the playlists as i never have any set up.

Phrozenpenguin · 19 Aug 2010 at 15:33

The tutorial you read was probably old. The recent versions of iTunes will update your file paths. Just make sure you move your music AND the library file. I think it is iTunes Library.itl on windows, and I had to remove the .itl ending on the mac and it worked fine.

icedbullet · 20 Aug 2010 at 19:00

Phrozenpenguin said:
The tutorial you read was probably old. The recent versions of iTunes will update your file paths. Just make sure you move your music AND the library file. I think it is iTunes Library.itl on windows, and I had to remove the .itl ending on the mac and it worked fine.

I tried this. I copied all of my old iTune folder over the one on the mac and nothing happened.

I've given up now, I guess I'm just going to have to do it manually

UPDATE: I've had to use dvd's to back up my entire music/vid/app library. I used a total of 21 DVDS!!....and its taken all night to backup to dvd's and then add to my new macbook. Apple really need to make it possible to backup via HDD officially.

Turbo-G · 21 Aug 2010 at 13:27

You still need to target your new iTunes library within iTunes itself, it's on one of e properties/preferences menus.